In Kiev: discovering the Church by crossing frontiers

Amongst the young people from the Ukrainian capital who have been to Taizé of late, has grown the idea of preparing a ‘Day of Trust’, as a concrete stage of the pilgrimage of trust to be lived with young people from various denominations. In order to open up this meeting to young people from all horizons, it was prepared in one of the town’s large universities, the Kiev-Mohyla Academy. Several months were spent in the preparation of this meeting by a group of volunteers, some of whom were already active in the Saint Clement Centre, which has an ecumenical vocation to bring together Christians of the East and of the West.

On the chilly morning of Saturday, October 17th, numerous young people from the Kiev region, but also from other parts of Ukraine and even from Bielorussia, arrived at the university’s Cultural Centre, their route being clearly indicated by arrows bidding them welcome. After a hot drink of tea, the day began with some Taizé chants and a word of welcome from the president of the University and from the philosopher Constantin Sigor, director of the Saint Clement Institute. After a bible introduction given by a brother of Taizé, all the participants joined small groups for a time of sharing based on questions, such as: “How are we carried by others in our faith, and how can we ourselves help others to believe?” It was moving to see not only the young people, but also priests from several churches, come together to share.

A short walk allowed all the participants, joined by others, to get to the Catholic cathedral, where the midday prayer took place. Despite a power cut, the songs of Taizé quickly filled the cathedral. On leaving the church, the sight of sunny weather persuaded numerous groups to eat lunch in the park near the hill of Saint Vladimir, where Christianity was born, 1.020 years ago, in the Rus of Kiev.

The pilgrimage continued in various parishes and church institutions, where numerous initiatives involved Christian commitment: a group of young people who visit prisoners regularly; others who care for children in an orphanage; volunteers who run scout groups; the sisters of Charity and volunteers who welcome the homeless with warm soup... Other workshops looked at the questions of God’s call for each person, and of the Church’s experience during the times of oppression. For many of the young people, the afternoon also allowed them to discover the life of the Church in their own town, by crossing frontiers and listening to other people. Later, all the participants came together in the Lavra monastery of Kiev, where the Orthodox Bishop Hilari welcomed them warmly in one of the site’s churches. He said how important it is for young Christians from different backgrounds to meet together, since it is so true that the young are the future of the Church. He also stressed the need for mutual understanding, the importance of knowing oneself in order to help others, and the concern to know what is in the heart of one’s neighbour. He also took the time to reply to some more personal questions about his personal faith journey. During the prayer of Vespers, the church filled with incense and with the voices of two choirs: one of young seminarians from the Theological Academy and a mixed choir, who supported the prayer of all those present.

The day ended, in a nearby museum, with a little sharing about the discoveries and experiences lived during the day. It seemed clear to many that this day was not simply an event, but would bear fruits beyond what could be envisaged that day. This ‘Day of Trust’ had also allowed everyone to discover that it was possible to meet together more often, so as to turn, together, towards Christ who is the source of our communion.